Sounding the alarm on racism ended my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece contains details of racially offensive language and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

"I've had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.

"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."